Obituaries

Sep 10, 2022

James “Kelly” Beach 53 years old born in Baxley, Georgia passed away on September 10th, 2022 in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Kelly will forever be cherished for his warmth, his courage, his enduring strength, his quick laugh, his love of life and especially his heart that held so much love for his family and friends. He particularly enjoyed rocking...

Sep 10, 2022

Elias Hobson “Hoppy” Craven, Jr., age 83, died Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Community Hospice in Vidalia.

Mr. Craven was born on April 3, 1939 in Ware County to the late Elias Hobson Craven, Sr. and the late Madge Tuten Craven.   He was a member of Satilla Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the Georgia Young...

Sep 5, 2022

Grady Willard Simpson, age 64, of Hazlehurst died Monday, September 5, 2022 at his residence.

Mr. Simpson was born September 7, 1957 in Toombs County and was a retired electrician. He was a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren. He loved catching white perch and watching his grandchildren play ball.

He is...

Sep 3, 2022

William Alford “Al” Pearce, II, age 59, of Surrency passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.

Mr. Pearce was born on December 18, 1962 in Bacon County and was a member of Zion Church of God.  He was a farmer, a certified mechanic and an avid fisherman and truck puller. ...

Sep 1, 2022

Tommy Lewis Tyre, Sr. age 82 of Surrency, Georgia passed away Thursday, September 1, 2022 at his residence.

Tommy was born February 8, 1940 in Appling County. Tommy retired from the railroad in 1997 and was a fifth generation farmer. Tommy enjoyed carpentry, gardening, barbequing and spending time with his grandsons and family. Many family members and...

Aug 31, 2022

Ronnie Junior “R.J.” Smith, age 67, of Hazlehurst who passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 in Baxley.

Mr. Smith was born on January 24, 1955 in Wayne, County and was a member of Big Oaks Church of God.  He was a retired truck driver and was preceded in death by his father, Frank Smith; and brothers, Tony...

Aug 29, 2022

Sharon Rae Sortwell, age 76, of Baxley died Monday, August 29, 2022 in Brunswick.

Ms. Sortwell was born on June 10, 1946 in Batesville, Indiana and has resided in Baxley for the past 33 years. She was employed with Altamaha Home Health and was a CNA for 40 years. Ms. Sortwell was preceded in death by her...

Aug 27, 2022

William Michael Harper, age 61, of Baxley passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022.

Mr. Harper was born June 3, 1961 in Bartow, Florida to the late William Leaston “Dub” Harper and Barbara Vickers Harper. He was an electrician and a member of IBEW Local 508.  Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his son, Erik Harvey.

Aug 22, 2022

Helen Brigman Thomas, age 78, of Baxley died Monday, August 22, 2022.

The Appling County native was a member of Asbury Methodist Church.  She enjoyed spending time with her dogs and visiting with others.  She was a fiercely independent soul who lived life her way until her passing.

Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by...

Aug 20, 2022

Dr. Sidney Phillip Johnson, 86, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2022, at his home. Known to many people as “Doc,” he was born on February 2, 1936, in Butts County, Georgia, to Spencer and Lucile Johnson, their only child. Doc was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Nathan Fleming of Arlington, Virginia; and Honey,...

Aug 19, 2022

Deborah Jo Geiger, age 69, of Dallas, Texas, passed away Friday, August 19, 2022 at Harborview Nursing Home in Jesup.

Mrs. Geiger was born November 12, 1952 in Dallas, Texas to the late Robert Lewis York and the late Joyce Laverne Kirk Blankenship.  She was an account executive for Estee Lauder Company and was preceded in death...

Aug 17, 2022

Nancy Gail Simmons, age 70, of Baxley, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.

Mrs. Simmons was born July 23, 1952 in Statesboro to the late Wilbur Levert Scott and the late Corrine Williams Scott.  She was a member of the Eastern Star and was the former owner of Johnson’s Florist...

Aug 17, 2022

Mitchel Craig Carter, age 45, of Vidalia passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from injuries sustained in automobile accident.

Mr. Carter was born September 14, 1976 in Ware County and was a member of Dunn Memorial Baptist Church.  He was a construction worker for Pittman Enterprise and was preceded in death by a brother, Stacey...

Aug 13, 2022

Lawanda Carter Reynolds, age 63, of Baxley, died Saturday, August 13, 2022 at her residence.

Mrs. Reynolds was born November 26, 1958 in Appling County to the late Elmer Carter and the late Erris Bullard Hopkins.  She was a member of Spring Branch Baptist Church and was a seamstress at Douglas & Harper.  Mrs. Reynolds...

Aug 11, 2022

Jerry Don Copeland, age 76, of Baxley passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Appling Healthcare.

Mr. Copeland was born January 3, 1946 in Appling County to the late Lawrence Copeland the late Fanny Marie Hendricks Copeland.  He attended Riverside Baptist Church and was owner & operator of Copeland Mobile Home Movers.  Mr. Copeland was preceded in...

Aug 6, 2022

Jean C. Blanton, age 87, of Surrency passed away in the company of her children on Saturday, August 6, 2022 following an extended illness.

Jean was born April 30, 1935 to the late Girvis Knight and the late Ethleen O’Brien Knight, and was raised in Appling County. She graduated valedictorian from Surrency High School, where she met...

Aug 5, 2022

Cleveland Terry “Butch” Edenfield, age 56, of Surrency passed away peacefully Friday, August 5, 2022 at his residence.

Butch was born September 20, 1965 in Appling County. He was a member of Surrency Community Bible Church and was a retired correctional officer. Butch loved his family and enjoyed barbequing Boston butts and briskets as well...

Aug 2, 2022

Gabriel Samson Lee “Gage” Fenton, age 26, of Baxley passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA.

Gage was born March 12, 1996 in Hazlehurst and was a Treatment Manager for New Beginnings Health Sober Living.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Warren “Coot” Williams, and paternal grandparents, Tom & Senga Fenton....

Jul 29, 2022

Willis Lamar Hartley, age 83, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away Friday, July 29, 2022 under the care of Community Hospice at The McGraw Center in Jacksonville.

Mr. Hartley was born August 10, 1938 in Baxley, Georgia to the late Daniel Harvey Hartley and the late Mattie Estelle Gordon Hartley.  He was a retired welder with Ferber Sheet...

Jul 7, 2022

Phillip Ronald Miles, age 74, of Baxley, died Thursday, July 7, 2022 at The Pavilion.

Mr. Miles was born July 24, 1947 in Appling County to the late Lee Warren Miles and the late Mamie Mae Perdue Miles.  He was a member of Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church and was a Mason. Mr. Miles was a member...